If your company is developing an app, or having an app developed for it, there are key issues concerning privacy that your company should keep in mind.
Apps can often require or facilitate access to personal information about end users which is typically regarded as private and subject to protective laws or regulations. Some apps gradually collect personal information about the end user as the end user navigates the app. Such information can include:
- financial account information
- health information
- location data
- personally identifiable information (e.g. name and address)
There has been greater focus of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on privacy issues in mobile devices and apps.
Therefore, to help avoid liability or harm to your company’s reputation as a result of privacy breaches, at the initial stages of the app development process and throughout your operations, your company should understand the types of personal information would be shared or accessed as a result of an end user navigating your company’s app. It’s never too early to consider privacy issues–especially if your app facilitates or requires access to information which is highly regulated, (e.g. financial, health or children information).
If your company is developing and app or having an app developed, please contact an attorney who can help you minimize risk with respect to privacy issues.